We check in with people at each stage of the cash transfer process to see how things are going. Take a look at some of their stories as they appear here in real-time.
Learn more about how recipients opt in to share their stories.
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2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($458 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My new goal is to be able to buy a sewing machine since it is a job that I learnt about. I have never been able to buy one because of a lot of commitments that I thought were equally very important. I am planning to save up from merry go round that I engage in and finally be able to buy one. This shall not only make me be busy but shall be a good source of income for my family and definitely it will make our lives much more affordable and easy.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion GiveDirectly did well by giving us money without conditions and this empowered us to spend the money in the ways we did. Having cleared for a motorcycle that would have taken us ages to clear in installments is a thing that I get to be proud of. I feel so much happy about this and looking forward to achieving a lot from the proceeds of this business.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
We used KES 10000 to clear a debt for motorcycle that we had bought on credit and used another KES 15000 to buy a young heifer to be added into my flock. I used another KES 10000 to buy household furniture and the remaining amount was used to buy food and other basic household needs. For a long time we were relying on our parents to get milk for our young children who need it the most but by October this year we shall be able to have our own milk and put an end to the menace of having to rely on someone else for this otherwise very important and rare commodity.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($484 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 11:30pm ,That was when my husband come back home. He had taken our neighbor who was unwell to the hospital for treatment. I woke up and open the door for him. I just decided to check my phone. I saw a message confirming that I have received KES 55,000 from GiveDirectly. I couldn't believe my eyes, I felt so happy and immediately informed my spouse. Who also checked it. It was one of the best nights. We were so happy and grateful. We knew our plans would be fulfilled. We slept well and on the next day we went to withdraw the money and used some to repay for the motorcycle that we had purchased on hire purchase. We are so grateful for the support.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Depositing KES 35,000 to repay part of the installments for the motorcycle that we had bought on hire purchase is the biggest difference in my daily life. My spouse had deposited KES 40,000 and he was required to pay installments of KES 1905 every week for one year and six months. This was quite some time and he was struggling to get the money. He always get KES 300 per day minimum. All this goes for basic household items and to repay the installments. It was a huge challenge. We depend on small scale farming and this literally does not have much income. When we received the transfer from GiveDirectly we felt so happy and decided to spent KES 35,000 as an lump sum installment. Our aim was to reduce the number of months that we are suppose to pay. We are so grateful and thankful for the support because now we have 6 months installment left to own the motorcycle and be given the lock book. We are so grateful and we look forward to staring the saving culture and buy a new brand motorcycle. Thanks to GiveDirectly for this tremendous blessing to us.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used KES 35,000 to repay for the motorcycle that we had bought on hire purchase. We are so grateful because we were able to reduce the installment loans. The rest of the money I bought food and clothes for my children. I am so grateful because GiveDirectly has enabled us to work towards achieving our goals. Were it not GiveDirectly all this could not have happened on time.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
We currently live in a one roomed house which acts as the cooking, living and sleeping area. It is very small for my family of five and whenever we have visitors we cannot accomodate them . This forces us to borrow a sleeping space for them in my brothers house and it I am ashamed of it. Receiving this money means owning a better house which is spacious and also in a good condition. I am a motorcycle rider earning KES 350 per day from which I spend KES 200 to repay a loan that I took inorder to buy a motorbike and the remaining KES 150 goes into buying food. I plan on changing from a mud house to a two-roomed timber house using the transfers I will get from Givedirectly. This will cost me KES 30,000 for both materials and labor. The remaining money will see me spend KES 55,000 in clearing the debt am owed by a motorcycle dealer in the nearest town. This will boost my income and also my life will be better than it is now.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Before May this year, I was employed on casual basis as a motorcycle rider and after working hard and saving up KES 20,000 for 2 years, I bought a motorcycle on hire purchase basis in June. Even though I have not finished repaying the loan I am happy because at the end of the day I own a motorcycle. This has brought me Joy as I have the independence to work freely and plan on the money I get personally. My daily earnings have increased from KES 150 per day when I used to work for someone else to KES 300 per day now that I am self employed.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial constraints is the greatest challenge currently. My family solely depends on me for all the provision from food, clothing and school levies. I strain a lot to get the money to feed my family of five because we have a 1 month old baby now and my wife cannot work. I took a motorcycle on hire purchase basis which I am still repaying in installments, it is half way settled. The KES 300 I earn in a day is not enough because KES 200 goes into servicing the loan and only KES 100 remaining is what must cater for all the needs of the family. Sometimes I have sleepless nights when I fail to raise money to repay the loan which must be done on weekly basis.
